First of all, golf doesn’t need Tiger Woods. There. So those of who are convinced he’s not news any more, lower your weapons.

The game did fine without him. Not the same, but fine.

And viewed through that lens, it was probably over the top, the way NBC and the Golf Channel and the phalanx of overwrought commentators who made their way to the Bahamas for Tiger’s comeback at last week’s Hero World Challenge oohed and aahed each time he hit a fairway or green, or holed a birdie putt.

But among the fans and the TV ratings addicts, who know how far Tiger’s participation moves the needle, there were also realists, who pointed out the bad and the ugly along with the good, so as not to insult the intelligence of the audience.

The reality was that he finished ahead of exactly two players in the elite but handpicked field of 18, on a course with generously wide fairways, despite the constant encouragement and emotional support of his opponents. So, boo! He’ll never win again.

The reality is also that he birdied one of every three holes he played, 24 altogether, more than anyone including the runaway winner, Hideki Matsuyama. After 15 months away. So yay! He’s shown that he can still make golf holes look like child’s play. He’s now 20-1 in some precincts to win the 2017 Masters, better odds than even Open champion Henrik Stenson. He’s …

OK, back to your corners, people. There is plenty of room in the middle ground, which is a far more likely destination for the soon-to-be 41-year-old longtime butt-kicker of all comers.

From the perspective of a guy with no skin in the game anymore, here’s what it looked like:

THE POSITIVE

• Health. If physical infirmity is 90 per cent (the other half is mental) of the reason he has tumbled from No. 1 in the world to No. 898, where he was when he teed it up on Thursday, getting through the week with no limping or wincing is an early indicator that he may be able to withstand the rigors of the practice it’s going to require to regain his consistency.

Christian Petersen/Getty Images

• About that golf swing. His posture and balance are good, the pose at finish looks more elegant and less forced … all in all, it looks like a less violent swing, easier on the left knee and back.

• Distance. Still there. If he can suppress his ego’s temptation to be among the long-ball hitters, he’s easily long enough to put himself in scoreable range.

• The putter. No longer tied to Nike equipment, he can pick the putter he trusts, the Scotty Cameron that won 13 majors, and roll it with some confidence. He missed a few, but you don’t make 24 birdies without putting well.

THE NEGATIVE

• Between the ears. Woods has always been an unreliable witness when it comes to his own game. He says his mind is still his greatest strength, but he hit the ball in some absolutely wrong places in this tournament. That may be partly physical, but knowing where to miss also comes from the mind, and scoring is about minimizing the awfulness of your bad shots.

• The chipping yips. He hit a few beauties that were just like the Tiger of old, but a few more that looked like Old Tiger. The little spasm that overcomes a player who’s ever had ‘em can return at any time.

• Aura. Gone. If he’s going to beat the others, he has to do it with golf shots, not by scaring them to death. They’re all pulling for him now, which is probably a terrible sign, as if he’s a terminal case they’re just trying to cheer up.

THE UNDERSTANDABLE

After 15 months between meaningful swings, we can all find it in our hearts, surely, to grant him the “rust” excuse. Maybe the “stamina” excuse, too. He started his rounds on fire and faded, again and again. Walking 18 holes isn’t like riding a cart. Focusing for 72 holes isn’t like shooting 63 in a nothing-on-the-line pre-tournament round at Seminole.

AP Photo/Lynne Sladky

THE QUESTIONABLE

Can he close the deal? The week in the Bahamas showed that he can still turn it on, still go on a tear. But he didn’t do well, and hasn’t for a long time, when he put himself in contention. His recent tendency is to seize up when victory seems possible, where once he put his foot on everyone else’s throat.

THE CONCLUSION

Can he win again? Sure. Maybe.

And if not, well, he can certainly contend.

If that’s enough for him … if his face out there and his name on a leaderboard makes the environment a little spicier … if he can live with being the diminished legend whose fans hope he might capture lightning in a bottle just once more, like Jack in ‘86 … is that such a bad thing?

Almost Done!

Postmedia wants to improve your reading experience as well as share the best deals and promotions from our advertisers with you. The information below will be used to optimize the content and make ads across the network more relevant to you. You can always change the information you share with us by editing your profile.

By clicking "Create Account", I hearby grant permission to Postmedia to use my account information to create my account.

I also accept and agree to be bound by Postmedia's Terms and Conditions with respect to my use of the Site and I have read and understand Postmedia's Privacy Statement. I consent to the collection, use, maintenance, and disclosure of my information in accordance with the Postmedia's Privacy Policy.

Postmedia wants to improve your reading experience as well as share the best deals and promotions from our advertisers with you. The information below will be used to optimize the content and make ads across the network more relevant to you. You can always change the information you share with us by editing your profile.

By clicking "Create Account", I hearby grant permission to Postmedia to use my account information to create my account.

I also accept and agree to be bound by Postmedia's Terms and Conditions with respect to my use of the Site and I have read and understand Postmedia's Privacy Statement. I consent to the collection, use, maintenance, and disclosure of my information in accordance with the Postmedia's Privacy Policy.